I think coleslaw is seriously underrated! This tasty slaw is a side dish staple in our house. Itโs the perfect complement to any summer barbecue or grilled meat dish. Who doesn’t love the freshness, perfect crunch, and tang from this classic side?
If you love this crunchy coleslaw, you’ll love our Chinese Chicken Salad.

Why Our Recipe
- The perfect coleslaw with a creamy sauce that has a little tang.
- Made with shredded purple and green cabbage and a little carrot and onion.
- Easy to throw together with a quick prep time of 15 minutes!
Coleslaw is ridiculously easy to make and is a great side dish or topping for sandwiches. This is a recipe that can easily be changed up to suit your own personal taste preferences. It can be sweeter or saltier, and you can basically tailor it to the food it’s going with. We’ve included some suggestions for substitutions and add-ins if youโre feeling adventurous.
Ingredient Notes
- Cabbage: Red and green cabbage are used for color and variation. Thinly slice.
- Shredded Carrots: For a sweet, earthy taste.
- White Onion: Thinly slice for added texture and flavor. You can also substitute with a sweet onion.
- Mayonnaise: Substitute with plain Greek yogurt, low-fat mayo, or Miracle Whip.
- Red Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute in the same amount.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds depth and a bit of heat. Use whole grain mustard for a little texture.
Variations
Spice it Up: Looking for a little more heat? You can easily add sliced (or diced) fresh jalapeรฑos to this coleslaw. You can also add a dash of hot sauce, too.
Lighten it Up: Use plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo if you’re looking for a lighter option that’s still deliciously creamy. Or, leave out the creamy sauce completely and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for a vinaigrette coleslaw.
Mix-Ins: Some great additions to any coleslaw are green onion, cilantro, or your favorite nuts or seeds (we love pumpkin and sunflower seeds).
Time-Saving Hack: While we prefer freshly chopped cabbage, using a bag of pre-shredded cabbage and carrots is a great time saver if you’re short on time.
Serving Suggestions
Coleslaw is a great complement to many dishes. Here are some of our go-to dishes that pair well with this tasty slaw!
Mains: Classic pairings include fried chicken, some country-style ribs, or BBQ chicken.
Tacos: Make this recipe, and then use the leftovers to make fish tacos the next day. This coleslaw goes perfectly with fish tacos and even shrimp tacos!
Wraps: Add a little crunch and a little tang to a chicken wrap. Grab a tortilla, coleslaw, and some chicken, and you’re good to goโno need to add dressing!
Sandwiches: Top your sandwiches, sliders, and even burgers with this tasty coleslaw. We especially love a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw. A classic combo!
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
More tasty sides and salads…
Made it today as a side for kentucky fried chicken and we all loved it. The best recipe I ever did. We like to make at home a lot of foreign recipes (Romanians living in Spain) and your chanel is always the first stop when I search for american cuisine.
– Ana
Love your recepies
Why thank you!
Awsome thanks for this recipe. Love this coleslaw and so easy to make yet soo yummy๐
Love your recipe!!
Very good, but I add pineapple ๐ and walnuts.
This is delicious but I found it to be a bit bitter. I did not add any of the optional add-ins for sweetness so I did add a bit of sugar which really helped.
Reading this recipe I thought whereโs the sweetness? I would had added cranberries or a little sugar too. I will definitely be making this.
Made It today as a side for kentucky fried chicken and we all loved it. The best recipe I ever did.
We like to make at home a lot of foreign recipes (Romanians living in Spain) and your chanel is always the first stop when I search for american cuisine.
Just got home from work and whipped up this delectable coleslaw! Absolutely fantastic! Crunchy, tasty and amazing dressing! Canโt wait for the leftovers in my lunch tote all week! Love that there is no sugar in this recipe! That was the draw for me! Thank you! Love your recipes! You are the best!
I love coleslaw and make it frequently. I typically use Savoy Cabbage thought. I also add a 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar to balance the vinegar, and also add creamy horseradish sauce. A good spice is pigment espalet if you like a little heat. I like the idea of onions, and will try that next. A good healthy salad that can keep in the refrigerator for some time. Thanks.
This is THE best since I absolutely abhor anything sweet in my slaw! NY girl living in the South !
Add some dried cranberries they make a big difference